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PubMed2002

Decreasing the level of ethyl acetate in ethanolic fermentation broths of Escherichia coli KO11 by expression of Pseudomonas putida estZ esterase.

During the fermentation of sugars to ethanol relatively high levels of an undesirable coproduct, ethyl acetate, are also produced. With ethanologenic Escherichia coli strain KO11 as the biocatalyst, the level of ethyl acetate in beer containing 4.8% ethanol was 192 mg liter(-1). Although the E. coli genome encodes several proteins with esterase activity, neither wild-type strains nor KO11 contained significant ethyl acetate esterase activity. A simple method was developed to rapidly screen bacterial colonies for the presence of esterases which hydrolyze ethyl acetate based on pH change. This method allowed identification of Pseudomonas putida NRRL B-18435 as a source of this activity and the cloning of a new esterase gene, estZ. Recombinant EstZ esterase was purified to near homogeneity and characterized. It belongs to family IV of lipolytic enzymes and contains the conserved catalytic triad of serine, aspartic acid, and histidine. As expected, this serine esterase was inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and the histidine reagent diethylpyrocarbonate. The native and subunit molecular weights of the recombinant protein were 36,000, indicating that the enzyme exists as a monomer. By using alpha-naphthyl acetate as a model substrate, optimal activity was observed at pH 7.5 and 40 degrees C. The Km and Vmax for alpha-naphthyl acetate were 18 microM and 48.1 micromol. min(-1). mg of protein(-1), respectively. Among the aliphatic esters tested, the highest activity was obtained with propyl acetate (96 micromol. min(-1). mg of protein(-1)), followed by ethyl acetate (66 micromol. min(-1). mg of protein(-1)). Expression of estZ in E. coli KO11 reduced the concentration of ethyl acetate in fermentation broth (4.8% ethanol) to less than 20 mg liter(-1).

Acetates↗
PubMed2002

Functional production and characterization of a fibrin-specific single-chain antibody fragment from Bacillus subtilis: effects of molecular chaperones and a wall-bound protease on antibody fragment production.

To develop an ideal blood clot imaging and targeting agent, a single-chain antibody (SCA) fragment based on a fibrin-specific monoclonal antibody, MH-1, was constructed and produced via secretion from Bacillus subtilis. Through a systematic study involving a series of B. subtilis strains, insufficient intracellular and extracytoplasmic molecular chaperones and high sensitivity to wall-bound protease (WprA) were believed to be the major factors that lead to poor production of MH-1 SCA. Intracellular and extracytoplasmic molecular chaperones apparently act in a sequential manner. The combination of enhanced coproduction of both molecular chaperones and wprA inactivation leads to the development of an engineered B. subtilis strain, WB800HM[pEPP]. This strain allows secretory production of MH-1 SCA at a level of 10 to 15 mg/liter. In contrast, with WB700N (a seven-extracellular-protease-deficient strain) as the host, no MH-1 SCA could be detected in both secreted and cellular fractions. Secreted MH-1 SCA from WB800HM[pMH1, pEPP] could be affinity purified using a protein L matrix. It retains comparable affinity and specificity as the parental MH-1 monoclonal antibody. This expression system can potentially be applied to produce other single-chain antibody fragments, especially those with folding and protease sensitivity problems.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1996

Differential contribution of Yersinia enterocolitica virulence factors to evasion of microbicidal action of neutrophils.

The differential contribution of the virulence factors invasin, protein tyrosine phosphatase (YopH), cytotoxin (YopE), and adhesin (YadA) of Yersinia enterocolitica to evasion of the antibacterial activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) (oxidative burst, phagocytosis, killing) was analyzed. We constructed virulence gene knockout mutants and a novel two-plasmid system allowing production and secretion of individual virulence factors. Wild-type Y. enterocolitica WA-314 harboring the virulence plasmid pYV08 resisted phagocytosis and killing by PMNs. Moreover, strain WA-314 was able to inhibit the neutrophil oxidative burst upon stimulation with opsonized zymosan independently on preincubation with normal human serum or YadA-specific serum. These phenotypic properties of strain WA-314 were differentially affected when mutants impaired in YadA production or Yop secretion were used. A more detailed analysis revealed that YopH plays the dominant role in suppression of the antibacterial action of PMNs without damaging the cells. The YopH suppressing effect could be enhanced by coproduction of YopE and YadA. The contribution of YadA is attributed to the adhesin function promoting interaction with PMNs under both opsonizing and nonopsonizing conditions. In contrast, invasin seems to mediate only opsonin-independent interaction with PMNs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that YopH, YopE, and YadA act in concert towards neutrophil attack to enable extracellular survival of Y. enterocolitica in host tissue.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2000

Domain structure of Salmonella FlhB, a flagellar export component responsible for substrate specificity switching.

We have investigated the properties of the cytoplasmic domain (FlhB(C)) of the 383-amino-acid Salmonella membrane protein FlhB, a component of the type III flagellar export apparatus. FlhB, along with the hook-length control protein FliK, mediates the switching of export specificity from rod- and hook-type substrates to filament-type substrates during flagellar morphogenesis. Wild-type FlhB(C) was unstable (half-life, ca. 5 min), being specifically cleaved at Pro-270 into two polypeptides, FlhB(CN) and FlhB(CC), which retained the ability to interact with each other after cleavage. Full-length wild-type FlhB was also subject to cleavage. Coproduction of the cleavage products, FlhB(delta CC) (i.e., the N-terminal transmembrane domain FlhB(TM) plus FlhB(CN)) and FlhB(CC), resulted in restoration of both motility and flagellar protein export to an flhB mutant host, indicating that the two polypeptides were capable of productive association. Mutant FlhB proteins that can undergo switching of substrate specificity even in the absence of FliK were much more resistant to cleavage (half-lives, 20 to 60 min). The cleavage products of wild-type FlhB(C), existing as a FlhB(CN)-FlhB(CC) complex on an affinity blot membrane, bound the rod- and hook-type substrate FlgD more strongly than the filament-type substrate FliC. In contrast, the intact form of FlhB(C) (mutant or wild type) or the FlhB(CC) polypeptide alone bound FlgD and FliC to about the same extent. FlhB(CN) by itself did not bind substrates appreciably. We propose that FlhB(C) has two substrate specificity states and that a conformational change, mediated by the interaction between FlhB(CN) and FlhB(CC), is responsible for the specificity switching process. FliK itself is an export substrate; its binding properties for FlhB(C) resemble those of FlgD and do not provide any evidence for a physical interaction beyond that of the export process.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2002

A novel cytology-based, two-hybrid screen for bacteria applied to protein-protein interaction studies of a type IV secretion system.

DivIVA of Bacillus subtilis and FtsZ of Escherichia coli were used to target heterologous protein complexes to cell division sites of E. coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. DivIVA and FtsZ that were fused to the dimerizing leucine zipper (LZ) domain of the yeast transcription activator GCN4 directed the green fluorescent protein (GFP) that was fused to an LZ domain to E. coli division sites, resulting in fluorescence patterns identical to those observed with DivIVA::GFP and FtsZ::GFP. These cell division proteins also targeted the VirE1 chaperone and VirE2 secretion substrate complex to division sites of E. coli and A. tumefaciens. Coproduction of the native VirE1 or VirE2 proteins inhibited the dihybrid interaction in both species, as judged by loss of GFP targeting to division sites. The VirE1 chaperone bound independently to N- and C-terminal regions of VirE2, with a requirement for residues 84 to 147 and 331 to 405 for these interactions, as shown by dihybrid studies with VirE1::GFP and DivIVA fused to N- and C-terminal VirE2 fragments. DivIVA also targeted homo- and heterotypic complexes of VirB8 and VirB10, two bitopic inner membrane subunits of the A. tumefaciens T-DNA transfer system, in E. coli and homotypic complexes of VirB10 in A. tumefaciens. VirB10 self-association in bacteria was mediated by the C-terminal periplasmic domain, as shown by dihybrid studies with fusions to VirB10 truncation derivatives. Together, our findings establish a proof-of-concept for the use of cell-location-specific proteins for studies of interactions among cytosolic and membrane proteins in diverse bacterial species.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
PubMed2005

An atypical KdpD homologue from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain L-31: cloning, in vivo expression, and interaction with Escherichia coli KdpD-CTD.

The kdpFABC operon of Escherichia coli, coding for the high-affinity K(+) transport system KdpFABC, is transcriptionally regulated by the products of the adjacently located kdpDE genes. The KdpD protein is a membrane-bound sensor kinase consisting of a large N-terminal domain and a C-terminal transmitter domain interconnected by four transmembrane segments (the transmembrane segments together with the C-terminal transmitter domain of KdpD are referred to as CTD), while KdpE is a cytosolic response regulator. We have cloned and sequenced the kdp operon from a nitrogen-fixing, filamentous cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. strain L-31 (GenBank accession. number AF213466). The kdpABC genes are similar in size to those of E. coli, but the kdpD gene is short (coding only for 365 amino acids), showing homology only to the N-terminal domain of E. coli KdpD. A kdpE-like gene is absent in the vicinity of this operon. Anabaena KdpD with six C-terminal histidines was overproduced in E. coli and purified by Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. With antisera raised against the purified Anabaena KdpD, the protein was detected in Anabaena sp. strain L-31 membranes. The membrane-associated or soluble form of the Anabaena KdpD(6His) could be photoaffinity labeled with the ATP analog 8-azido-ATP, indicating the presence of an ATP binding site. The coproduction of Anabaena KdpD with E. coli KdpD-CTD decreased E. coli kdpFABC expression in response to K(+) limitation in vivo relative to the wild-type KdpD-CTD protein. In vitro experiments revealed that the kinase activity of the E. coli KdpD-CTD was unaffected, but its phosphatase activity increased in the presence of Anabaena KdpD(6His). To our knowledge this is the first report where a heterologous N-terminal domain (Anabaena KdpD) is shown to affect in trans KdpD-CTD (E. coli) activity, which is just opposite to that observed for the KdpD-N-terminal domain of E. coli.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Hepatitis C virus-encoded nonstructural protein NS4A has versatile functions in viral protein processing.

A transient protein expression system in COS-1 cells was used to study the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-encoded NS4A protein on HCV nonstructural polyprotein processing. By analyzing the protein expression and processing of a deletion mutant polypeptide, NS delta 4A, which encodes the entire putative HCV nonstructural polyprotein except the region encoding NS4A, the versatile functions of NS4A were revealed. Most of the NS3 processed from NS delta 4A was localized in the cytosol fraction and was degraded promptly. Coproduction of NS4A stabilizes NS3 and assists in its localization in the membrane. NS4A was found to be indispensable for cleavage at the 4B/5A site but not essential for cleavage at the 5A/5B site in NS delta 4A. The functioning of NS4A as a cofactor for cleavage at the 4B/5A site was also observed when 30 amino acids around this site was used as a substrate and a serine proteinase domain of 167 amino acids, from Gly-1049 to Ser-1215, was used as an enzyme protein, suggesting that possible domains for the interaction of NS4A were in those regions of the enzyme protein (NS3) and/or the substrate protein. Two proteins, p58 and p56, were produced from NS5A. For the production of p58, equal or excess molar amounts of NS4A relative to NS delta 4A were required. Deletion analysis of NS4A revealed a minimum functional domain of NS4A of 10 amino acids, from Gly-1678 to Ile-1687.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Hepatitis C virus core protein inhibits Fas- and tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated apoptosis via NF-kappaB activation.

The effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins on anti-Fas (CD95/APO-1) antibody- and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-mediated apoptosis in different human cell lines were investigated by magnetic concentration of cells which transiently produced the exogenous protein. HepG2 cells, which produced whole HCV proteins, became resistant to anti-Fas-induced apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, the core protein among HCV proteins had a key role in protecting the various cells from apoptosis mediated by not only anti-Fas but also TNF-alpha. We also found that the core functioned in the activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in all cells examined. Deletion analysis of the core revealed that the region required for NF-kappaB activation was closely correlated with that for its antiapoptotic function. In addition, we revealed in some cases that the antiapoptotic effect of the core was restrained by coproduction of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB, IkappaB-alpha protein. These results demonstrated that the core inhibits Fas- and TNF-alpha-mediated apoptotic cell death via a mechanism dependent on the activation of NF-kappaB in particular cell lines.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

Signature for long-term vaccine-mediated control of a Simian and human immunodeficiency virus 89.6P challenge: stable low-breadth and low-frequency T-cell response capable of coproducing gamma interferon and interleukin-2.

In 2001, we reported 20 weeks of control of challenge with the virulent 89.6P chimera of simian and human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV-89.6P) by a Gag-Pol-Env vaccine consisting of DNA priming and modified vaccinia virus Ankara boosting. Here we report that 22 out of 23 of these animals successfully controlled their viremia until their time of euthanasia at 200 weeks postchallenge. At euthanasia, all animals had low to undetectable viral loads and normal CD4 counts. During the long period of viral control, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-producing antiviral T cells were present at unexpectedly low breadths and frequencies. Most animals recognized two CD8 and one CD4 epitope and had frequencies of IFN-gamma-responding T cells from 0.01 to 0.3% of total CD8 or CD4 T cells. T-cell responses were remarkably stable over time and, unlike responses in most immunodeficiency virus infections, maintained good functional characteristics, as evidenced by coproduction of IFN-gamma and interleukin-2. Overall, high titers of binding and neutralizing antibody persisted throughout the postchallenge period. Encouragingly, long-term control was effective in macaques of diverse histocompatibility types.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed1995

The transcription factor E2F-1 is a downstream target of RB action.

Reintroduction of RB into SAOS2 (RB-/-) cells causes a G1 arrest and characteristic cellular swelling. Coexpression of the cellular transcription factor E2F-1 could overcome these effects. The ability of E2F-1 to bind to RB was neither necessary nor sufficient for this effect, and S-phase entry was not accompanied by RB hyperphosphorylation under these conditions. Furthermore, E2F-1 could overcome the actions of a nonphosphorylatable but otherwise intact RB mutant. These data, together with the fact that RB binds to E2F-1 in vivo, suggest that E2F-1 is a downstream target of RB action. Mutational analysis showed that the ability of E2F-1 to bind to DNA was necessary and sufficient to block the formation of large cells by RB, whereas the ability to induce S-phase entry required a functional transactivation domain as well. Thus, the induction of a G1 arrest and the formation of large cells by RB in these cells can be genetically dissociated. Furthermore, the ability of the E2F-1 DNA-binding domain alone to block one manifestation of RB action is consistent with the notion that RB-E2F complexes actively repress transcription upon binding to certain E2F-responsive promoters. In keeping with this view, we show here that coproduction of an E2F1 mutant capable of binding to DNA, yet unable to transactivate, is sufficient to block RB-mediated transcriptional repression.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2026

In vitro susceptibility testing of aztreonam-avibactam against predominantly NDM-producing Enterobacterales in Peru.

Metallo-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales are distributed worldwide, but some Latin American countries show a higher prevalence. Aztreonam-avibactam (ATM-AVI) may be an option for treating these infections. To evaluate in vitro susceptibility to aztreonam (ATM) alone and ATM-AVI in carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacterales isolates, based on the type of carbapenemase production, we prospectively collected carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacterales isolates from Peruvian hospitals during 2023-2024. Identification and susceptibility testing were performed by commercial panels and disk diffusion. Carbapenemases were detected by immunochromatography. ATM and ATM-AVI MICs were determined using broth microdilution panels with avibactam fixed at 4 µg/mL. The non-susceptible isolates to ATM-AVI and those with double production of carbapenemases underwent whole-genome sequencing. A total of 438 Enterobacterales isolates were analyzed; carbapenemase production was detected in 422 (96.3%) and NDM was the most frequent (61.9%). Coproduction of NDM + KPC in K. pneumoniae and NDM + OXA-48-like in Escherichia coli was observed. Overall, 99.3% were susceptible to ATM-AVI; MIC50 and MIC90 were 0.12 and 2 µg/mL, respectively. Overall, K. pneumoniae isolates had lower MIC50 and MIC90 values to ATM-AVI (0.12 and 0.5 µg/mL) compared to E. coli (0.5 and 4 µg/mL). Three E. coli isolates were resistant to ATM-AVI (MIC ≥ 8 µg/mL), they belonged to ST410, ST167, and ST10 and harbored a YRIN insertion in PBP3 along with CYM-type, PER-type, and CTX-M-type beta-lactamase genes. ATM-AVI demonstrated potent activity against carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacterales, including those producing NDM, which is the carbapenemase most frequently detected in Peruvian hospitals.IMPORTANCEEnterobacterales isolates cause common illnesses in humans. Carbapenems are the antibiotics used to treat several of these infections, and increasingly, isolates resistant to these antibiotics are found. The most important mechanism of resistance to carbapenem among Enterobacterales is the production of enzymes called carbapenemases. Our results allowed us to recognize that NDM is the most frequent type of carbapenemase detected. Most of the antimicrobials available do not cover the Enterobacterales carrying NDM carbapenemase. In this scenario, we found that the new combination of drugs, aztreonam-avibactam, has high in vitro efficacy against most of the carbapenem-resistant isolates and against those isolates carrying NDM carbapenemase.

Aztreonam↗
PubMed1993

VIP-mediated G protein-coupled Ca2+ influx activates a constitutive NOS in dispersed gastric muscle cells.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine-isoleucine (PHI) receptors and the signaling pathways to which they are coupled were characterized in dispersed gastric smooth muscle cells. Radioligand binding using 125I-labeled VIP and PHI identified 4 classes of receptors: VIP-preferring and PHI-preferring receptors recognized by both ligands and readily desensitized by the preferred ligand, and VIP-specific and PHI-specific receptors recognized by only 1 ligand and resistant to desensitization. All except VIP-specific receptors were coupled to adenylate cyclase. VIP-specific receptors mediated a G protein-coupled Ca2+ influx that led to activation of NO synthase (NOS), NO-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase, and activation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) kinase resulting in muscle relaxation. The entire cascade was blocked by Ca2+ channel and/or calmodulin antagonists. The NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine abolished L-[3H]citrulline (coproduct of NO synthesis) and cGMP generation and partly inhibited (52 +/- 4%) relaxation. The components of response mediated by VIP-specific receptors (increase in [Ca2+]i, L-[3H]citrulline, and cGMP) were preserved after desensitization. Insertion of guanosine 5'-O-(beta-thio)diphosphate into reversibly permeabilized muscle cells abolished responses mediated by VIP-preferring and VIP-specific receptors. VIP stimulated both adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-kinase and cGMP-kinase activities consistent with stimulation of cAMP and cGMP. Both kinases contributed to relaxation that was partly inhibited by cAMP-kinase [H-89 and (R)-p-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate] and cGMP-kinase (KT-5823) inhibitors and abolished by a combination of the 2 types of inhibitors. We conclude that VIP-specific receptors mediate a G protein-coupled Ca2+ influx leading to activation of a constitutive Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent NOS and generation of NO, which is partly responsible for relaxation in smooth muscle.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity in dispersed gastric muscle cells by protein kinase C.

The present study examined whether NO synthase (NOS) activity in gastric muscle cells was inhibited by protein kinase C (PKC). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) increased L-[3H]citrulline production (a coproduct and index of NO synthesis) in muscle strips (81.9 +/- 11.6%) and dispersed muscle cells (80.9 +/- 4.6%) of rabbit stomach. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), carbachol, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibited VIP-induced L-[3H]citrulline production in muscle cells and muscle strips; the inhibition was reversed by pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor, calphostin C. The Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents, CCK-8, acetylcholine, ionomycin, and KCl, all of which increased PKC activity in dispersed muscle cells, did not increase L-[3H]citrulline production. After treatment of the cells with calphostin C, all four agents stimulated L-[3H]citrulline production, although to a lesser extent than VIP (approximately 50%). VIP-induced relaxation of basal but not carbachol-stimulated tension was accompanied by increase in L-[3H]citrulline production and was inhibited by the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Preincubation of carbachol-treated muscle strips with calphostin C restored the ability of VIP to stimulate L-[3H]citrulline production and the ability of L-NNA to inhibit VIP-induced relaxation. We conclude that 1) VIP-stimulated NOS activity is inhibited by agents that increase PKC activity in gastric smooth muscle cells, and 2) agents that increase both cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and PKC activity stimulate NOS activity only when PKC activity is suppressed.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1994

Interplay of somatostatin, opioid, and GABA neurons in the regulation of the peristaltic reflex.

The interplay of somatostatin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and opioid neurons in the regulation of the descending relaxation phase of peristalsis was examined in isolated rat colonic segments. Release of somatostatin, GABA, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and L-[3H]citrulline [coproduct and index of nitric oxide (NO) production] increased, and release of Met-enkephalin decreased, during descending relaxation. Somatostatin antiserum (1:50) inhibited GABA and L-[3H]citrulline and reversed Met-enkephalin from decrease below to increase above basal level; exogenous somatostatin had the opposite effect. Bicuculline (GABAA antagonist) inhibited L-[3H]citrulline, had no effect on somatostatin, and reversed Met-enkephalin from decrease below to increase above basal level; exogenous GABA had the opposite effect. Naloxone increased GABA and L-[3H]citrulline but had no effect on somatostatin; exogenous Met-enkephalin had the opposite effect. In all instances the changes in L-[3H]citrulline paralleled those previously obtained with VIP. The results are consistent with the operation of a circuit in which somatostatin neurons inhibit the activity of opioid neurons, causing a decrease in Met-enkephalin. The decrease in Met-enkephalin initiated by somatostatin is accentuated by a reciprocal inhibitory pathway linking GABA and opioid neurons. The decrease in Met-enkephalin eliminates the inhibitory influence of opioid neurons on VIP/NO neurons and leads to increase in VIP, NO, and descending relaxation.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Kidneys extract BNP and NT-proBNP in healthy young men.

Renal metabolism of the cardiac marker NH2-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been suggested. Therefore, we determined the renal extraction ratios of NT-proBNP and its bioactive coproduct brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) at rest and during exercise. In addition, the cerebral ratios were evaluated. Ten young healthy men were investigated at baseline, during moderate cycle exercise (heart rate: 140, Borg scale: 14-15), and in the recovery with BNP and NT-proBNP measured from the brachial artery and the jugular and renal veins, and the renal and cerebral extraction ratios (Ext-Ren and Ext-Cer, respectively) were calculated. Cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, mean arterial pressures, and estimated glomerular filtration were determined. BNP and NT-proBNP were extracted by the kidneys but not by the brain. We observed no effect of exercise. The mean values (+/- SE) of Ext-Ren of NT-proBNP were similar (0.19 +/- 0.05, 0.21 +/- 0.06, and 0.12 +/- 0.03, respectively) during the three sessions (P > 0.05). Also the Ext-Ren of BNP were similar (0.18 +/- 0.07, 0.15 +/- 0.11, and 0.14 +/- 0.06, respectively; P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between Ext-Ren of BNP and NT-proBNP during the three sessions (P > 0.05). The Ext-Cer of both peptides varied insignificantly between -0.21 +/- 0.15 and 0.11 +/- 0.08. The renal extraction ratio of both BNP and NT-proBNP is approximately 0.15-0.20. There is no cerebral extraction, and short-term moderate exercise does not affect these values. Our findings suggest that the kidneys extract BNP and NT-proBNP to a similar extent in healthy young men.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Metabolite fingerprinting in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum altered by the Escherichia coli glutamate dehydrogenase gene.

With about 200,000 phytochemicals in existence, identifying those of biomedical significance is a mammoth task. In the postgenomic era, relating metabolite fingerprints, abundances, and profiles to genotype is also a large task. Ion analysis using Fourier transformed ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) may provide a high-throughput approach to measure genotype dependency of the inferred metabolome if reproducible techniques can be established. Ion profile inferred metabolite fingerprints are coproducts. We used FT-ICR-MS-derived ion analysis to examine gdhA (glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH; EC 1.4.1.1)) transgenic Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) carrying out altered glutamate, amino acid, and carbon metabolisms, that fundamentally alter plant productivity. Cause and effect between gdhA expression, glutamate metabolism, and plant phenotypes was analyzed by (13) NH(4)(+) labeling of amino acid fractions, and by FT-ICR-MS analysis of metabolites. The gdhA transgenic plants increased (13)N labeling of glutamate and glutamine significantly. FT-ICR-MS detected 2,012 ions reproducible in 2 to 4 ionization protocols. There were 283 ions in roots and 98 ions in leaves that appeared to significantly change abundance due to the measured GDH activity. About 58% percent of ions could not be used to infer a corresponding metabolite. From the 42% of ions that inferred known metabolites we found that certain amino acids, organic acids, and sugars increased and some fatty acids decreased. The transgene caused increased ammonium assimilation and detectable ion variation. Thirty-two compounds with biomedical significance were altered in abundance by GDH including 9 known carcinogens and 14 potential drugs. Therefore, the GDH transgene may lead to new uses for crops like tobacco.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of nitric oxide in carotid chemoreception.

Immunocytochemical and histochemical studies of cat and rat carotid bodies have revealed a plexus of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive nerve fibers associated with lobules of chemosensory type I cells as well as with the carotid body vasculature. NOS-positive fibers originate from (1) autonomic neurons located in the carotid body and distributed along the carotid sinus nerve (CNS) and IXth cranial nerve which terminate in the adventitial layer of carotid body blood vessels, and (2) from unipolar sensory neurons of the petrosal (IXth nerve) ganglion. Carotid bodies incubated with the NO precursor, 3H-arginine, yield 3H-citrulline, the detectable coproduct of NO synthesis. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of the CNS or exposure of carotid bodies to hypoxic incubation media elevates 3H-citrulline formation. Millimolar concentrations of L-arginine inhibit chemoreceptor activity evoked by hypoxia, an effect which is reversed by the specific NOS antagonist, L-NG-nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME, 0.1 mM). Electrical stimulation of CNS C fibers elevates cyclic GMP in the carotid body vasculature and lobules of type I cells. Cyclic GMP production is reduced during stimulation in the presence of L-NAME, a finding consistent with the known ability of NO to activate a soluble form of guanylate cyclase. Further studies showed that brief (< 1 min) stimulation of CNS C fibers inhibits basal chemoreceptor discharge in a perfused/superfused in vitro carotid body preparation, whereas prolonged (> 5 min) stimulation is required to inhibit the response to hypoxia. The inhibitory effect is reversed by L-NAME. Our combined anatomical, neuropharmacological and electrophysiological data suggest that NO plays a dual role in mediating CNS inhibition, one via its actions on the organ's vasculature and the other through direct effects on the chemosensory type I cells. The former pathway involves cholinergic/NOS presumptive parasympathetic autonomic neurons, while the latter may be mediated by axon reflex or primary affarent depolarization of chemosensory nerve terminals.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2001

Effects of prostaglandin E2 and cAMP elevating drugs on GM-CSF release by cultured human airway smooth muscle cells. Relevance to asthma therapy.

Human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells release granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and express cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 (resulting in the release of prostaglandin [PG] E2) after stimulation with cytokines. Because COX-2 activity can regulate a number of inflammatory processes, we have assessed its effects, as well as those of agents that modulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), on GM-CSF release by HASM cells. Cells stimulated with a combination of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha each at 10 ng/ml) for 24 h released significant amounts of PGE2 (measured by radioimmunoassay) and GM-CSF (measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Indomethacin and other COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors caused concentration-dependent inhibitions of PGE2 concomitantly with increases in GM-CSF formation. Addition of exogenous PGE2 or the beta2-agonist fenoterol, which increase cAMP, to cytokine-treated HASM cells had no effect on GM-CSF release unless COX activity was first blocked with indomethacin. The type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitors rolipram and SB 207499 both caused concentration-dependent reductions in GM-CSF production. Thus, when HASM cells are activated with cytokines they release PGE2, which acts as a "braking mechanism" to limit the coproduction of GM-CSF. Moreover, agents that elevate cAMP also reduce GM-CSF formation by these cells.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗